News
The aMazing HEDGE PUZZLE in Symonds Yat West will feature on MERLIN this Saturday - assuming that it's not on the cutting-room floor because gales kept blowing the dry ice fog away. Watch out for a new character played by FRANK FINLAY, whom those of us of a certain age will recall for his role in BOUQUET OF BARBED WIRE. The action should be quite dramatic: There was a lot of discussion between the actors and Director on-set about how to tone down events in the maze so that the climax of the series would occur in the last episode, as planned. The CGI graphics people want to film a whole episode in the maze if MERLIN runs to a second series. True Taste of Wales Awards The True Taste of Wales Awards were held on Thursday 6 November, and Monmouthshire were down to the final three. Over 600 guests, sponsors and contestants sat down to a 4 course dinner where naturally ingredients were sourced locally. Monmouthshire (adventa) won the 'Food Tourism Destination' Award sponsored by Visit Wales. Misbah Tandoori Restaurant Raised Total £951.40
A highly successful and enjoyable Charity evening was held at the Misbah Tandoori Restaurant in Monmouth in 19th October 2008 for the Mayor of Monmouth.
The purpose of the evening was to raise funds for the MS Group,T Dance, Monmouth football academy and Mr Miah’s own charity in Bangladesh.
A magnificent buffet consisting of many traditional Bangladeshi dishes was served to a gathering of people, among the guests were the Mayor of Monmouth Terry Christopher and Ex Mayor Anthea Dewhurst, Councillors Bob Hayward & Misbah’s regular customers
Mr Miah and his family have lived in Monmouth for 18 years, have been heavily involved in many Community activities and charities, having personally helped Saint Brevals Centre for Child, Cancer Research Uk, The British Heart Foundation, Monmouth Cricket Club to name a few.
After the diner there was a raffle draw
The winners are follow
1st prize Mrs Jones
2nd prize Mr White
3rd prize Mr Marcus
4th prize Mr Faruk
5th prize Trecey William Mr Miah and his staff very much appreciate those who participate in the raffle draw
News from Puzzlewood Shine Productions the company responsible for the current BBC series MERLIN spent three days filming at Puzzlewood. The results will be aired on 29th November and 6th December (Episodes 11 & 12). See if you can recognise it. The BBC radio programme ‘Open Country’ presented by Matt Baker will be in the Forest w/c 20 October to make a programme about Free Mining. They will also talking about Scowles, including an interview with the county archeologist and a visit to Puzzlewood. SCARY SCOUTS!
From Perrygrove Railway, Coleford, Forest of Dean The 1st Clearwell & Sling Scouts are making preparations to be really horrible as Hallowe’en approaches. On the evenings of Wednesday 29th to Friday 31st October they will be lurking around the Perrygrove Railway at Coleford, dressed in all kinds of foul and frightening garb, and determined to scare the living daylights out of any passenger who is foolish enough to ride the Ghost Trains through the dark and threatening woods. Witches, Ghouls, the living dead, and all kinds of hideous apparitions will be there, sharing the night with the creatures that come out around the eve of All Hallows. Michael Crofts who runs Perrygrove Railway with his wife Frances said, ‘This is the first time we have put on an event especially for Halloween. During the daytime our decorations and treasure hunt will be suitable for children of all ages, but when the time comes to run the evening Ghost Trains in the dark we realised we would need some really horrible things to frighten our visitors. The Scouts are just what we need, and to paraphrase the Duke of Wellington’s famous remark: "I don't know if these Scouts will frighten the customers, but by God they frighten me!" Martin Williams, Group Scout Leader says, ‘scary, some of the scouts scare me when they have not got Halloween costumes on. Scouts are used to taking part in activities in the dark! They go hiking, play games and carry out other activities under the supervision of adults in the dark on a regular basis, so doing a bit of ghouls and ghosts will not worry them in the least. It will be great for the young people, to be able again, to take part in an activity in the community to raise the profile of scouting, promote an activity accessible to the public, raise badly needed funds and also possibly recruit new members. Scouting in the Forest of Dean, and throughout the UK, is again on the increase. The numbers of boys and girls wanting to be part of the largest youth organisation is rising; unfortunately the numbers of adult volunteers is not keeping pace with the increase. If you are interested in helping in any way, whether as an active leader, fund raiser or in an administrative position please get in touch. The scouts are putting a lot of effort into getting the costumes and props just right so please do come and see them and hopefully they will frighten you as much as they do me! Michael and Frances Crofts
Perrygrove Railway
01594 834991 Dean Heritage Centre Success Following the AGM of the Dean Heritage Museum Trust on Monday 29th September, the chairman Tony Evans congratulated staff and volunteers for the successes of the year so far: · July and August saw an increase in museum visitors of 22% on 2007
· Thanks to an increasingly active schools workshop programme, school group bookings for the year so far were up 44% on 2007
· 100% of summer visitors rated children’s activities Excellent or Good
· Nearly 9,000 people visited during July & August The Centre is open every day through the winter months 10am-4pm and is looking forward to forthcoming Apple Days 18th-19th October, Fungi Weekend 25th -26th October and Christmas Events during weekends in December. For more information please contact Gina Mills, Marketing Manager on 01594 822170.
26th September 2008 MONTV'S 200,000th VIEWER
This week, MONTV celebrates its 200,000th viewer. 200,000 people have watched Monmouthshire's very own local television station in the six months since its launch. Join the channel in its celebrations by watching MONTV online at www.mon-tv.com <http://www.mon-tv.com> . MONTV would like to thank all its viewers, advertisers and contributors on this happy occasion.
Saturday 27 September
Our £1000 open mic competition is reaching the final stages.
Week 10, the final week of the open competition is on the 1st of October 2008. Acts are urged to enroll ASAP as there are only a few slots left available.
The Semi Finals are on the 8th & 15th of October. 5 Acts on each night will compete to gain a place in the final to be held on the 22nd of October 2008. 3 Acts from each semi will go through. On the Finals night we have celebrity judges booked in to judge and decide who wins the covetted £1000 prize money.
Each week has really highlighted the musical talent in the Forest of Dean and from surrounding areas. With over 50 acts having competed so far, the next competition, starting in December will be greatly anticipated.
Kind Regards
Gary Brown
The Bailey Inn
www.baileyinn.webs.com
thebaileyinn@hotmail.com
01594 562670
Monday 22 September
Hallé announces global distribution deal with Wyastone Hallé label re-launches with Bryn Terfel.
THE HALLÉ continues its 150th Anniversary year – a unique milestone in British music – by announcing the re-launch of the Hallé CD label. This follows the signing of a global distribution deal with Wyastone. This exciting relationship will launch in October this year with the release of Sir Mark Elder’s long-awaited and dramatic interpretation of Elgar’s great oratorio The Dream of Gerontius, featuring Bryn Terfel, Alice Coote and Paul Groves in the title role. The Dream of Gerontius continues the Hallé’s highly acclaimed survey of Elgar’s music, which has already included recordings of the First and Second Symphonies, the Cello Concerto with Heinrich Schiff, and the Enigma Variations. Sir Mark Elder joined the Hallé in 2000 following such distinguished musical figures as Hans Richter, Sir Hamilton Harty and Sir John Barbirolli. Since his arrival the Orchestra has undergone a transformation, being cited as the No.1 orchestra in the country by the Sunday Times in 2006. The Royal Philharmonic Society honoured Sir Mark in the same year with its Conductor Award, which followed the Ensemble Award, which had been presented to the Orchestra the previous year. Mark Elder was honoured with a knighthood in June of this year in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Since Sir Mark’s arrival there have been a number of major initiatives which have included the launch of the Hallé Youth Orchestra and Youth Choir (soon to be joined by a Children’s Choir) and, in 2003, the Hallé’s own CD label. The label, comprising high quality studio recordings, immediately become noticeable for its diversity and breadth of repertoire. In addition to the Elgar performances there have been widely praised releases of English music by Grainger, Butterworth, Delius and Vaughan Williams, works by Wagner featuring Anja Kampe, Richard Strauss lieder with Anne Schwanewilms, the Nielsen Flute Concerto and Fifth Symphony and Colin Matthews orchestral arrangements of Debussy’s Piano Preludes, released with La Mer, which received the distinguished Diapason d’Or award in 2007. Now with 15 titles available the Hallé has signed an exclusive manufacturing and distribution deal with Wyastone Estate Limited, which will enable their discs to be sold worldwide once again. John Summers, Chief Executive of the Hallé Concerts Society said, “Since January we have been looking for a new partner to provide worldwide distribution of our recordings. The Wyastone solution fulfils all of our requirements. Their in-house production facility ensures we are never overstocked or out of stock on any title and we can respond immediately to market demand. They will also help us develop new customers in Asia and South America whilst fully supporting our traditionally strong markets in Britain and America.” Wyastone will reintroduce all back catalogue titles in September and will then release two new titles in October as part of a release plan that goes through to 2010 and beyond: CD HLL 7520 Elgar Dream of Gerontius
Sir Mark Elder, conductor - Soloists Paul Groves, Alice Coote, Bryn Terfel
Hallé Choir, Hallé Youth Choir.
CD HLL 7515 World Premier Recordings - Colin Mathews
Horn Concerto - Sir Mark Elder, conductor - Richard Watkins, horn
Alphabicycle Order - Edward Gardner, conductor - Henry Goodman, narrator - Children’s Choir “The Hallé is one of the UK’s most respected orchestras and their performances are second to none, our team is delighted to be working with such a prestigious organisation to make these performances available for a worldwide audience.” commented Antony Smith, Business Director for Wyastone “In the UK we will channel the Hallé recordings through our own retail distribution and mail-order divisions and overseas we use specialist wholesalers. Last year Hallé appeared before more than a quarter of a million people across 200 concerts and we will be putting a great deal of effort into merchandising at events.” Hallé is the latest label to sign up to the unique manufacturing and distribution solution operated by Wyastone Estate Limited. With factories in Monmouth and New Jersey, USA the company manufactures discs and prints the booklets and inlays on demand for more than 140 pop, jazz and classical record labels. Saturday 30 August
LOCALS TURN TO HISTORY TO BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH With the credit crunch really affecting the pound in everyone’s pocket, and predictions of a full-blown recession only months away, people throughout the region are turning to the past as a solution to low-cost days out – or more specifically, to English Heritage! The British Lifestyles Study has shown that 20% of people cut holidays as one of the first ways of reducing their household expenditure – particularly in the face of a strong Euro and extra fuel duties hitting long-haul travellers. One consequence of this is an increase in people looking for holidays and days out closer to home. And this, according to English Heritage’s marketing manager for the West, Lucy Dhiman, is leading to more and more people buying memberships of organisations like English Heritage to take advantage of cheap days out closer to home. “When we look at our sites like Goodrich Castle, we’ve found this year that the majority of memberships we are selling are to those living within an hour’s drive of the site, which suggests that people are looking at places on their own doorstep before heading further afield,” says Lucy. “People are starting to take an interest in their carbon footprint, and this, combined with high fuel costs, is actually encouraging people to stay closer to home when planning days out – and not even the appalling British summer weather will stop them!” Indeed, many people seem to be preparing for a rough year ahead. Over the last month, membership sales at Goodrich Castle are up thanks to a 15-month for the price of 12 offer, which means that people can effectively prepay for their days out right through to Summer 2009, whilst they still have a few leisure pounds to spend. “The ‘Martin-Lewis effect’ means that people are now more savvy at planning their expenditure, right down to their leisure spend and looking at longer-term value when organising days out,” adds Lucy. “When they are shopping around, they see that it costs £55 for a family to get into Warwick Castle, or £118 for a family day out at Alton Towers, but only £73 for a couple’s annual membership of English Heritage, which currently provides 15 months of free entry for two adults and up to six accompanied children over 200 sites, and the largest events programme in the country to provide thrills and spills all year round!” The ‘15 month for the price of 12’ offer is currently available at all of English Heritage’s sites in the West Midlands when visitors sign up with direct debit. Prices start from £30 for a 15-month membership for a senior citizen, or £42 for an adult. Children go free to all English Heritage sites when accompanied by an English Heritage member. For more details of English Heritage’s sites in the West Midlands, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/westmidlands or call 0870 333 1181 for a leaflet. Friday 15 August
Harts Barn Stone Carving Festival
Despite the wet weather, the inaugural International Stone Carving Festival held at Harts Barn Craft Centre over May Bank Holiday 2008 was a huge success. With over a thousand visitors throughout the 3 day festival, the resident crafts men and women - aided by a range of additional activities including the local ale tent and hog roast hosted by Harts Barn’s Old Dairy Tearoom - worked hard to keep the crowds entertained despite the poor weather.
Visitors enjoyed watching the stone carver’s develop their block of local stone, donated by Veizey’s Quarry in Tetbury, into fine works of art over the course of the weekend. All the carvings, created by carvers ranging in ability from apprentice to Master Craftsmen from across the UK & Canada, were auctioned on the Monday afternoon in aid of local charities. Total amount raised by the auction was £2856.20 which was divided equally between Mitcheldean Cub Scouts, Guides & Brownies and The Forge resource centre for blind and visually impaired Forest residents, based at Cinderford.
Due to the success of this year’s festival, it is expected to run again 23rd -25th May (Bank Holiday weekend) 2009. Many of the stone carvers present this year will be returning as they were impressed and delighted by the knowledgeable crowds. It is expected they will be joined by more carvers & masons from across Europe for 2009’s festival.
Tuesday 8 July
Walkers welcome the 59 Steps! Popes Hill residents and walkers have welcomed the rebuilding of a steep footpath swept away in the July 07 floods which provides a vital link for walkers wanting to experience the fabulous views from Chestnut Wood. Tony Lorimer, Landlord of the Greyhound Pub said, “The Council boys have done a grand job. We used to see many walkers including families and older people but the path got too dangerous for them.” “The path has always been a vital link between houses on Popes Hill and the Bus Stop next to the pub car park. The new path is still quite steep but now has 59 very safe steps – I know because I count them each morning!” “We’re looking forward to welcoming many more walkers who start their walks from our car park – and finish with a drink, snack or meal. To help new walkers we are producing a free guide sheet showing the best walks – with the best views of the river Severn and across to Gloucester Cathedral.” INFO
Free walkers guide sheets will be available from the Greyhound
Inn and downloadable from the Pub’s Website www.greyhoundintheforest.co.uk More details from Tony Lorimer on 01452 760344 Friday 20 June
Congratulations to Karen & Andy from Palace Cinema in Cinderford for reaching the regional finals of the HSBC Start Up for Stars for businesses less than 3 years old. They are one of twenty businesses from Wales, West of England and Northern Ireland. Ten of these businesses will be selected to go through to the national finals in London. Good luck! Friday 6 June
Top 25 Campsites
We have 2 campsites listed in the Telegraph's top 25. Please click here for the full article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/2078876/Britain%27s-25-best-campsites.html?source=rss Tuesday 27 May
Fine B&B's in area
Three of our Tourism Association members were featured in May’s Guardian newspaper booklet Bed and Breakfast Directory – over 1000 of Britain’s finest. (These were by invitation only). Lea House, Lea, Ross-on-Wye in the Food Section
Granton House, Goodrich, Ross-on-Wye in the Walking Section
Old Nibley Farmhouse, Blakeney in the Eco Section
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Runner up - Best Farm Attraction
Thursday 1 May 2008
We are pleased to announce that the Dick Whittington Countryside Centre are now the proud owners of
The Jim Keetch Farm attraction of the year competition 2007 runner up certificate.
This is a national competition run by the national farm attractions network, amongst others.
Needless to say they are very excited by this achievment!
As a national competition it is a great boost for tourism in the area!
Congratulations to Chris, Kerry and all of the team at the centre.
______________________________________________________________________ Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo nets award
29 April 2008 A WVFDTA member has been awarded the title of Overall winner of Midlands Best Small Attraction 2007/2008 by Going Places magazine. Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo in Symonds Yat West features tropical and sub-tropical butterflies from around the world, flying around you in an indoor exotic garden which provides their habitat. All stages of their metamorphosis can be seen close-up. Visitors are lent a magnifying glass to get closer still, and information to share about the butterflies and their survival strategies. It's a great place to take photographs. There's full access for wheelchairs and if you don't like them fluttering there are special netted hats for scaredy-cats! Wye Valey Butterfly Zoo is co-located with the aMazing Hedge Puzzle and with Wye Valley Miniature Golf, saving your guests a lot of travel, and there are great savings to be had through joint tickets and free parking. This is one place you can recommend with confidence.
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25th February 2008 ‘Braintree’ Babes in the Woods
Taurus Crafts – Lydney, Forest of Dean Just in time for fair-trade fortnight – 25th Feb – 9th March 2008 Taurus Crafts launches its new range of Organic baby clothes. Made using ‘Certified Organic Cotton’ in a ‘Sweatshop Free Environment’. These are the coolest and most environmentally friendly clothes you can dress your baby in and you don’t need to travel far or battle the crowds on the high-street – keeping it local and stress free. Did you know – The clothes industry is one of the most polluting in the world using over 8,000 chemicals and causing over 20,000 deaths a year. “We want to let the children of the Forest of Dean be the best dressed without costing the earth” says Gift shop Manager Helen Pike. “We have a full range of clothes for babies from 0-18 months, ranging from bibs and hats to baby grows and trouser suits, there’s something for all. They are really nicely packaged and would make a perfect gift” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A BIG THANKS FROM BANGLADESH FOR MISBAH Misbah Tandoori in Monmouth have assisted in distributing 4000 KG of Rice to the flood victims and needy people surrounding Mr. Miah's native village of Khadimpur, Sylhet in Bangladesh.
Misbah Tandoori raised over £1000 through its charity nights appeal and raffle draw for the flood victims in Bangladesh.
Mr. Miah's relatives and other members of the village are distributing the rice. Every body appreciates and thanks the Monmouth MISBAH's customers and friends for the generous donations.
_____________________________________________________________________________ CONGRATULATIONS TO BISTRO PREGO!!! Metro Food and Drink Awards December 2007. NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Bistro Prego
The seasonal, modern, unfussy food served up by head chef Steve Robbins at Bistro Prego proved a big hit with Metro readers, who loved the Italian influence and simple approach. Glorious saddle of hare with braised red cabbage, chestnuts and cranberries; fragrant tagliolini with crab, chilli, parsley and cherry tomatoes; griddled squid with a salad of chickpeas, chilli and mint; home-cured bresaola with rocket and Parmesan; rare Herefordshire rib-eye; grappa panacotta; and marsala semifreddo were all on the menu when we paid a visit nearly a year ago. Since then Prego has gone from strength to strength. New front of house manager Lynnette Bourgaize keeps a watchful eye on service in the laid-back dining room; eight coolly contemporary ensuite bedrooms opened in March - the Welsh Tourist Board recently upped Prego's accommodation rating from two to three stars - and local hero Francho Taruschio is named as a consultant. 'It's been a fantastic year, despite the terrible weather this summer' says Robbins. 'It's nice to win awards and get rosettes, but all we really want is to make our customers happy and keep serving good food.'
7 Church Street, Monmouth. Tel: 01600 712600. www.pregomonmouth.co.uk
_________________________________________________________________________________________ "The Forest of Dean is No: 1 for family cycling routes" - The Observer - 29th July 2007!
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